A GROUP of Ashton residents are blaming a pile of rocks for causing them sleepless nights over the past 18 months.

A GROUP of Ashton residents are blaming a pile of rocks for causing them sleepless nights over the past 18 months.

Tenants of Cavendish Mill are urging British Waterways to remove a pile of boulders which have been left by the canal nearby.

Councillor Jack Davis - who is a resident at the mill said: "The canal wall collapsed about 18 months ago and they came and put these boulders there in its place."

But the Ashton councillor said since then passersby have been using the rocks as missiles breaking up to five or six windows a night. And if that wasn't enough residents are also being woken up in the middle of the night when rocks are thrown into the canal.

"It's not just the kids, it's the people coming back from the clubs and pubs at all hours of the morning," Councillor Davis said.

"It is a great concern - especially when there are elderly people living in the flats who are absolutely terrified by what is happening."

A British Waterways spokeswoman said: "We have listened to residents' concerns and are responding by covering the stones with top soil and then boarding the area off from the tow-path to make it more secure. The stones were placed there to protect the line of the canal after the retaining wall collapsed."

She said the wall had collapsed following work by Tameside Council and negotiations were on-going concerning liability.